Launching your project: the five legal decisions of the first twelve months
A project that is starting takes five legal decisions without noticing: the name, the structure, the contracts, the data, the first unpaid invoice. Here is the order in which to take them, what each one costs and how long it takes.
Brussels Bar lawyer since 2021, Certified data protection officer (Maastricht), Published fees
The steps, in order
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01
The name
Before the logo, before the website, before the business cards: an availability search in the Benelux or in the Union. A name registered with the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises or a domain name gives no exclusive right.
What it costs: Search €390 (Benelux) · filing €890 + €244 official fee · 5 working days
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02
The structure and the partners
Company or sole trader, and above all what happens between partners on the day one of them wants to leave. The shareholders' agreement is signed while everything is going well.
What it costs: Incorporation and shareholders' agreement: billed by time, written estimate and cap
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03
The contracts
Terms and conditions, service agreement, non-disclosure agreement, and the clause that decides who owns the code and the content produced by your contractors.
What it costs: Terms and conditions €1,400 · SaaS pack €3,500 · assignment of rights billed by time
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04
The data
From the first online form: privacy policy, cookie banner, records of processing. The Essentials level covers a website or an application that is starting out.
What it costs: Essentials €950 · 10 working days
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05
The first unpaid invoice
It comes within the year. A lawyer's formal notice within 48 hours, then recovery up to the bailiff if the debt is not disputed.
What it costs: Formal notice €290 · recovery from €390
What not to do
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Filing the trade mark after the launch
In the Benelux, the first to file wins. A competitor who files your name while you are printing the flyers can force you to change it.
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Signing a non-compete without consideration
Two years without working for your former clients, for nothing: the clause is negotiated before signature, not after.
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Copying a competitor's terms and conditions
They describe its business, its lead times and its risks. Yours must describe yours, otherwise they will not protect you on the day of a dispute.
Frequently asked questions
Forty-five minutes to scope the matter, €120 excl. VAT
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A 45-minute video call, prepaid.
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A written report in five points within 24 working hours: the problem as you put it, the options, my recommendation, the budget for what follows, the timing.
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If you instruct me within 30 days, the €120 is deducted from the fee.